Reminder: Google Analytics to complete transition to new interface on July 18th

It's been about two months since we launched the new Google Analytics interface and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. And since then, we've updated the new Google Analytics with the most requested features. We'll continue updating the new Google Analytics going forward, of course, but here's your reminder that the earlier version of Google Analytics will be removed on Wednesday, July 18th. Most of you already know this from the message on your Analytics Settings page and from earlier posts here, but we wanted to give everyone another reminder.

If you haven't yet transitioned, you might check out these resources:

• the animated tour of the new version,
• the Report Finder tool, which maps where data from the previous interface is located within the new version, (also available within your reports in the left navigation menu)
• the FAQs,
• and the features page for the new version.
  

Posted by Christian Yee, Google Analytics Team

Read More

Weekend Server Outage

This weekend, many of you had trouble creating and logging into your new Google Analytics Account. This was due to a temporary server outage which has now been resolved. If your account was successfully created, you will be able to log in now. If you are still unable to log in you will need to create the account again.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Posted by Adam Wooley, Google Analytics Team

Read More

Tip: Evaluate your sources and your site with Bounce Rate

Of all web analytics metrics, Bounce Rate is perhaps the most universally applicable. Why? Because, unlike the widely-quoted Conversion Rate metric, Bounce Rate doesn't require you to have defined conversion goals. This means you can use it to understand how well virtually any kind of site performs from a marketing standpoint.

If your site conversion rates are low, Bounce Rate can help you understand why. If your Bounce Rates are also low, your troubles are likely due to site design and usability issues. In this case, you might focus your efforts on streamlining your conversion funnel or making your site easier to navigate. But if your Bounce Rates are high, you can focus your efforts on redesigning entrance (landing pages), improving the quality of traffic to your site, and doing a better job of pairing landing pages with ads.

Our own Avinash Kaushik has just written an excellent article on Bounce Rates in MarketingProfs: Daily Fix. It's appropriately titled Bounce Rate: Sexiest Web Metric Ever?

Posted by Alden DeSoto, Google Analytics Team

Read More